The following is a publication from Hawkins County courthouse:

“Sketches of Tennessee’s Pioneer Baptist Preachers”

Rufus Calvin Horner, son of Thomas and Catherine Horner, was born in Jefferson (now Hawkins) County Tennessee, April 4, 1822. And died February 4, 1904 (aged 82). His grandfather, William Horner was one of the constituent members (1785) of the old Bent Creek (now Whitesburg) Church. He came from North Carolina to Eastern Tennessee during the early settlement of the new country. In youth and young manhood, he had few opportunities to secure an education. In his 21st year he went to school for 4 months. From that time on he kept up with his studies, and even taught some. At the age of 26, in a meeting held by Woodson Taylor and Samuel Jones, at Robertson’s Creek church, he was converted, and in 1854 he was baptized by Elias Wester into the fellowship of Mount Zion Church, Hawkins County where he kept his membership the rest of his life. January 1856, he was licensed to preach, and that night preached his first sermon. In September 1857, he was ordained (Elders Andrew Coffman and Thomas Lane acting as a presbytery.

Elder Horner was pastor of his church (Zion or Mount Zion) for 35 years. He was pastor of Robertson’s Creek at different times, some 15 years, and Poplar Spring, Cedar Creek 10 or 11 years. He was also pastor at Cloud’s Creek Whitesburg, Catherine Nenny Pleasant Hill, Speedwell, Hickory Cove, Liberty, Persia, Grigsby’s Chapel, County Line and other churches. Brother Horner felt that he was “not called to be an evangelist, but to be pastor and indoctrinate the churches. His gifts were in this line. He also thought the evangelist, as a rule ought not to take charge of the church, but to aid the pastors in special meetings.

Brother Horner was twice married, and raised a splendid lot of children. December 4, 1847, he was married to Sarah Ann Cockraham. His second marriage December 16,1868 was to Nancy Robertson of the same county.

Uncle Calvin, as he was familiarly called for many years, stood for Righteousness and had the confidence of the people. Everybody believed in him! His style and manner of preaching was thoughtful and methodical. He was a doctrinal preacher and close reasoner. He read the old standards in theology-Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian. But the reading of the bible moulded his doctrinal beliefs and shaped his ministerial life. He counted himself as a “Land-mark Baptist”.

In the minutes of the Nolachucky Association for 1904 is the following:

“Elder R. C. Horner of Mt Zion, one of her oldest and most useful members, has been called home the past year. He was one of the strongest and most effective ministers and pastors in the association. He died with the armor on and went home to God”

More about Rufus Calvin…

His parents were:

-Thomas Nelson Horner  1781-1868

-Catherine Helton   1783-deceased

He had two brothers and two sisters:

-Dr Thomas Nelson Horner  1820-1904  (Rufus died this same year)

-Patrick Marion Horner  1826-deceased

-Lucy Jane Horner  1827 deceased

-Elizabeth Ann Horner  1827-1919

In total, Rufus Calvin was married twice and had 13 children. Rufus Calvin married his first wife Sarah Ann Cockraham in 1847 at the age of 25. Sarah was 16. Together they had 12 children before Sarah died in 1862 at the age of 31. Three of their children were doctors. After the death of Sarah, Rufus married Nancy Robertson in 1868. Together they had one child that died in the 1st year.

Rufus Calvin Horner children:

       Dr Samuel Venoy Horner  b  1849 d  1915

       Fredonia E Horner  b 1850, d  1862

       Dr William Bedford Horner,  b 1851  d  1911

       Mariah Kristian Horner,  b  1852  d  1856

       Robert N Horner,   b 1853  d  1878

       John A Horner,   b  1853  d  1913  (Robert’s twin brother)

       Mary Elizabeth Horner,  b 1854   deceased

       Sarah R Horner   b  1855  d  1858

       Eliza A Horner   b  1856   d  1862

       Susannah E Horner   b 1857  d  1902

       Dr Thomas Onicious Horner,  b  1859  d 1939

       Hester Quintilla Horner    b   1862   d  1884

       Mollie Horner   b   1869  d   1869